trek to Rainbow Bridge, March 2006 (revised to Sycamore Canyon)
- Thread starter articulate
- Start date
WolfSoul
Observer
BMAN said:
Hey Bman, you Hellbilly Hick! :wavey: Life's treating me real well, and keeping me REAL busy. How about yourself?
Goodtimes, yeah, I hear ya about Phoenix traffic. I think in order to miss it we'd have to leave Tucson no later than 1pm on a Friday. And even that might be too late. There are a couple of options for getting through that may be a bit faster though. We'll figure it out.
WolfSoul
articulate
Expedition Leader
Here's what I gather:
That is one serious DROP when you see it on an image. That must be the 1700 foot descent/ascent in 1.3 miles. Getting up that thing on the way out will be the real test, eh? Thanks for making those images.
Since I have to send in the permit application by the middle of next week with the total number of people in our group, get a hard yes or no from anyone you've invited by then.
Cheers, boys!
Mark
- Screw the van
- We'll convene in Tuba City on Friday night or Saturday monring; you can elect to camp or get a hotel room
- Those trail profiles kickass!
That is one serious DROP when you see it on an image. That must be the 1700 foot descent/ascent in 1.3 miles. Getting up that thing on the way out will be the real test, eh? Thanks for making those images.
Since I have to send in the permit application by the middle of next week with the total number of people in our group, get a hard yes or no from anyone you've invited by then.
Cheers, boys!
Mark
Ursidae69
Traveller
I called and the rooms are 89 plus 11% tax for the two queens. Camping is 15 bucks. I think I might camp, but it depends on the other guys. I guess we could get 4 to a room and split it at 25 bucks each. That puts two on the floor though, and hearing Goodtimes snore all night... :shakin: I think I'll opt for the 15 dollar camping and crash out in my truck. Maybe we can carpool from the hotel too, minimizing vehicles at the trailhead. I doubt the hotel would mind leaving a truck a few days in their lot.
WolfSoul
Observer
articulate said:
Yeah. It's going to be a climb. I've done worse (3500 feet in about 2.5 miles with 70 lbs of pack weight), but it's going to be a rough one nonetheless. :Wow1: I don't plan on having a 70 lb. pack this time though!!
Has anyone been able to find decent weather stats for Rainbow Bridge for mid-March? What I've found has been scant. In Page, it looks like averages in the mid-30s for the low. Not sure how representative Page's weather will be for where we'll be though.
WolfSoul
goodtimes
Expedition Poseur
Mark, I'll track down Jeff this weekend (at least I'll try). If I can't get an answer out of him, we'll have to boot him off the list. Put me down as a definate.....
Wolfie, I swear, you carry dead bodies out into the wilderness to dispose of them...there is no way you can need 70+ pounds of crap on a backpacking trip (even when you figure in the "wife" factor).:smilies27
Wolfie, I swear, you carry dead bodies out into the wilderness to dispose of them...there is no way you can need 70+ pounds of crap on a backpacking trip (even when you figure in the "wife" factor).:smilies27
WolfSoul
Observer
goodtimes said:
Good luck trying to track Jeff down. If you manage though, tell him to call me, because I've been leaving messages for him for a week!
The "wife factor" is definitely a part of the pack weight. Though I tend to carry a lot even without her. I'm working on that though. I need a 12-step program for heavy packers. :-D On my Kofa NWR backpacking trip this weekend, for example, I think I've got my gear weight down to about 40 lbs for a 3-day trip. Of course, there isn't any water out there, so I'm going to have to carry it all. So I'll end up with a 60 pound pack to start anyway, but at least I'll end the trip pretty light!
goodtimes
Expedition Poseur
When I did the Death Valley death march, I carried all my water, and went in under 40 pounds....total! I do wish I would have taken more water though.....I burned through the 100 oz in the camelback, and the 1/2 dozen or so 1 liter bottles pretty quick....we were only on the trail for ~1.75 days (26 miles).
goodtimes
Expedition Poseur
Ok, I just got off of the phone with Jeff, he and his "significant other" will not be able to make it. So, the only people who will be coming along with me (carpooling from Tucson) have already posted in this thread. Still no decision on the dog, but I am leaning away from bringing her due to the length of the trail, and her injured leg. But anyway....no need to wait on my account before purchasing the permits.
articulate
Expedition Leader
Gotcha. Ok, so I count a total of 8 people. You can see the first post for the full list -but I've included you, Chuck, and Brian. Yes, that two Brians.goodtimes said:
This is going to rule. I'm exceptionally glad that you fellas are coming.
Who's stoked?!
Mark
WolfSoul
Observer
articulate said:
:wavey: Me! Me! Me! :wavey:
The Missus is definitely out on this one, so just me and the other Brian will be in the Tucson contingent.
Brian D.: I got a half day for Friday, so I'll be able to roll out of work at noon. I'll be all packed up and ready to go before then. We can talk at some point soon to coordinate the particulars.
articulate
Expedition Leader
Rock-n-Roll
Ok boys!
I've been busy getting myself and the truck ready for the Camino del Diablo trip, but I think we're well set for Rainbow Bridge.
I have the permit paperwork in the mail with payment back to the Navajo Nation. We'll be bonafide. Also, it turns out that the cost per person is $5 per hiking trip, and $5 per night for camping. That's $15 a piece.
We need to be prepared to filter water. I have one unit, and it sounds like all or some of you might have one as well. Es bueno.
Oh yeah, bring your nipple warmers 'cause it's going to be cold at night. :Wow1:
Be well,
Mark
Ok boys!
I've been busy getting myself and the truck ready for the Camino del Diablo trip, but I think we're well set for Rainbow Bridge.
I have the permit paperwork in the mail with payment back to the Navajo Nation. We'll be bonafide. Also, it turns out that the cost per person is $5 per hiking trip, and $5 per night for camping. That's $15 a piece.
We need to be prepared to filter water. I have one unit, and it sounds like all or some of you might have one as well. Es bueno.
Oh yeah, bring your nipple warmers 'cause it's going to be cold at night. :Wow1:
Be well,
Mark
goodtimes
Expedition Poseur
Sounds good Mark. I have a filter I will bring (as always). Any idea on the availiability of water? How long is the longest stretch w/o water available to filter (read: how much water to we need to carry)?
I'll try to stop and pick up a couple maps next week (never leave home without them). Any other special considerations?
I'll try to stop and pick up a couple maps next week (never leave home without them). Any other special considerations?
Ursidae69
Traveller
The weather last year for March 10th and 11th was in the 60s for highs and in the 20s at night. Yes, it will be cold! Doubt there will be much firewood available either. Wolfsoul likes heavy packs, he can pack in some wood for us. :shakin: With this years warmer weather, we might be a little warmer, but who knows.
I'll bring my MSR filter, used it last weekend on my river trip and it worked great. I'll start off carrying at least 4 liters if water. Maybe more if it is determined to be necessary.
Mark, I can PayPal you the $$$ anytime or pay you when we meet. Either way is fine. I'll just sleep in the back of the truck, I called the hotel again and they said I don't need a reservation for the camping.
Looking forward to the trip, even though it will probably be a pretty challenging hike.
I'll bring my MSR filter, used it last weekend on my river trip and it worked great. I'll start off carrying at least 4 liters if water. Maybe more if it is determined to be necessary.
Mark, I can PayPal you the $$$ anytime or pay you when we meet. Either way is fine. I'll just sleep in the back of the truck, I called the hotel again and they said I don't need a reservation for the camping.
Looking forward to the trip, even though it will probably be a pretty challenging hike.
articulate
Expedition Leader
Sorry to keep you guys hanging here....goodtimes said:
The only water sources are in Cliff Canyon and at the lake. We are camping in Cliff canyon, but all of my sources say that the camping areas do not have water - there is a spring about 2 miles into that canyon, but evidently the camp sites are elsewhere. In the least, be prepared to carry enough to get you to camp.
Refer to wolf's picture here: http://www.thebeckoning.com/explorations/hikes/backpacking/rainbowbridge2006/route-profile-sm.jpg
On the profile of elevation change (at the bottom), you can see the big drop. That drop takes us into Cliff Canyon, then we climb out of that canyon the next day where you see the sharp right turn on the topo map portion.
When they say that water is at the lake, I don't know if they mean the cruddy sludge-water that is in the lake or if there is suitable drink at the dock.
Chuck, while I appreciate the notion to send dinero by paypal, that's not necessary. We'll square up on the trip.
The hiking is going to be within a lot of red rock wonders and vistas. This should knock our socks clean off.
Later,
Mark
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